The BIG day is tomorrow

[MaryBo]

Surgery was a success!

Surgery was a success!

Hello everyone! This is MaryBo's daughter, Holly. She asked me to come and post here after her surgery to let all of you know how it went. I am happy to report that the surgery was a complete success, and she is doing just fine!

The surgeon was able to repair her mitral valve, and he replaced the aortic valve with a pig valve (which she is very happy about, because she didn't want to receive an artificial valve and have to take blood thinners). She was fully sedated until early this morning; the nurses took her off the ventilator shortly after she woke up. I visited her in Critical Care this afternoon, and although she was a bit groggy, she was in good spirits and recovering quickly. She slept for most of the day today, but will be more alert and awake in a day or so.

Mary will probably be moved to a private room tomorrow, and should be able to come home on Tuesday or Wednesday. She said she would post here herself after she gets back. Thanks to all of you for your many thoughts and prayers! Your kindness is greatly appreciated, by both Mary and myself. If you have any further questions, I'll be checking this thread daily until she returns home, so feel free to ask them here. I wish all of you the very best.

~ Holly

 

[Bryan B]

Holly,

Thanks so much for giving us an update on your Mom. That's great news, sounds like the best possible outcome for her! Tell her to just take it easy and she will be home before she knows it!

 

[Mark Wagner]

Thank you for the update. It sounds like everything is going very well. Please tell her we look forward to hearing from her in the days and months ahead.

Mark

 

[Debrinha GT]

Great news!

Great news!

Hi Holly, nice to hear that Mary's doing well and should be leaving the hospital soon. She'll probably feel uncomfortable at first because after all, her chest has been cut open but as time passes, she'll begin to feel better by the day until she's able to get back to normal. Keep us posted and say hello to her for me.

 

[fdegranville]

Terrific News

Terrific News

Holly,
Thank you for posting for your Mom. Tell her we are all so happy to hear the news and look forward to the time when she is strong enough to post on her on. You must be very relieved!! Your Mom sounds as if she has a very positive attitude which will help her make a speedy recovery.

fdeg

 

[Raverlaw]

Holly,

Thanks for taking the time to post and let us know that mary is OK and made it over the mountain.

Mary,

I hope that Holly will print out this thread and bring it to you at the hospital. We're all praying and thinking of you, pulling for you to have a text book recovery. Follow your surgeon's discharge instructions and you will do just fine. Hope to see you back on that bike real soon!

 

[Karlynn]

Great news, I'm so glad everything went well. Mary, take good care of yourself and we look forward to hear your "war" story. Holly thanks so much for posting for your Mom. We all worry and fret until we hear news.

 

[tobagotwo]

Sounds like everything is going well for her, and that's great.

I have a month-old pig valve (Mosaic), and I'm real happy with it so far. I hope she stays as happy with hers.

She should also go online here to see what issues she may share with others post-surgery. She can sort of gauge her recovery through the experiences of others. It can help cut down on panic, and help to know when to make that call to the cardio. There's not too much she can go through that someone here hasn't had to deal with.

Very best wishes,

 

[Lisa]

Holly, That's just great. It sounds as if your Mom's recovery is off to a great start. Mary, I hope you're feeling well soon...I know you're going to feel wonderful in a few weeks. Best of luck!

 

[Georgia]

Thanks Holly

Thanks Holly

It's wonderful to know your mom did so well.

Mary, there are only 3 things you have to do when you get home - breathe, walk and nap. These things will pretty much consume your existence for the first few days. They're our mantra for a successful recuperation.

The fourth thing is to drop in occasionally to let us know how you're doing.

We're so glad you're over the mountain; we're wondering if you got that truck's tag number . ..

 

[Glenda]

Yeah Mary! ! You made it over the mountain. Prayers were answered.

 

[dawnwit15]

Thanks Holly!

Thanks Holly!

Holly
Thanks for the update on mom. I too had rheumatic fever when I was young, mine unfortunately went misdiagnosed as strep throat. I also was scheduled for a mitral valve replacement and my surgeon was able to do a repair instead. I just had my surgery on 1/14/04 and just turned 30 last month so I like many here on this site still remember the emotions as if it were yesterday that I had open-heart. Your mom is going to be just fine and will be back on her feet in enough time to truly enjoy this summer. Remember to expect your mom's emotions to go up & down during the recovery period, it is very normal. This surgery is a life altering experience. You, your mom and your whole family are in my prayers. Please send your mom my best wishes for a speedy recovery. Congrats! on making it over the mountain Mary. Welcome to the club.
Dawnwit15